You hear of water bringing life, and of sunlight giving energy. As artists, these are our greatest challenge. We try to capture the life of water and the energy of the sun. But, art turns it around. It captures us. It imparts to us a life and an energy that is unique.

Strolling through the halls of most hospitals, you’ll find artwork adorning the walls. It’s a basic premise that artwork lightens our moods and brings us a sense of peace even though we are in a hospital at the time. Hospitals adopted this strategy years ago almost by accident. Artwork is simply a pleasant addition to any room. But, it has been noted by psychologists to give onlookers a better disposition. Something in the brain automatically changes. It’s not as if someone who is in mourning starts laughing. But, they gain a sense of ease.

The artwork you choose is important. Images with bright colors and beautiful scenery are ideal for lifting anyone’s mood. A dark picture of an old man sitting alone on a rocking chair in a corner isn’t very conducive to brighten someone’s day. But, kids playing on a playground will lift a person’s spirit quite easily.

Not only hospitals, but schools and businesses have adopted this strategy. Again they think they are just decorating the place. But, these decorations are adding life to institutions that are known to drain us of it. Kids would be drained by schools if there weren’t any aesthetically pleasing additions. The art gives them life and an exciting place to learn. Businesses also have a tendency to drain their employees. But, the artwork livens up the place and puts a bounce to everyone’s step.

Yet, that’s not the only way art gives us energy. Any menial task will begin to work on us psychologically and eventually wear our energies down to nothing. But placing a brush in your hand has an entirely different effect. That’s when you jump to life and start getting motivated. The inspiration hits you and you want to blast across a canvas with your self expression.

Washing the dishes and taking out the trash are things that must be done. They annoy us, but still they must be done. Art is a creative process that allows us to bring our thoughts and feelings out. No artist ever walked up to a canvas hating the idea that they had to paint once again. If that were the case, they would just not do it.

Art drives the artist. It compels the artist to different levels where actual stimulating thoughts exist. Not just processes and facts, but ideas working together to solve issues. Art challenges us and we love art for that. That is its energy.